Indianapolis 500

• IMS sells its own tickets. Reorders and new applications for 2027 are already open, and prices rise in steps from fall to race week. For 2026, reserved race-day seats ran from $80 in the South Terrace to $160 in the Tower Terrace, and many sections sold out.

  Tickets on Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• Race-day general admission gets you onto the grounds and the viewing mounds without a seat. Children 15 and under get in free with an adult who has a paid general admission ticket.

  Tickets on Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• Race-day parking passes are sold ahead by IMS, and every race-day lot sold out in 2026. Buy parking when you buy tickets, or plan on the official shuttle.

  Tickets on Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Plan three nights, Friday through Monday morning. That gets you Carb Day on Friday, Legends Day and the 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, the race on Sunday, and a Memorial Day exit after the traffic clears.

With about 350,000 fans in town, hotels across Indianapolis sell out months ahead, and many require a three-night minimum on race weekend. Rates often run two to three times normal. Book soon after you get tickets, and check homes for rent in the town of Speedway.

• Downtown Indianapolis

  30 min, shuttle

  Most fans stay downtown for the hotels, restaurants and the 500 Festival Parade the day before. The official race-day shuttle leaves from a lot at 402 Kentucky Avenue.

• Airport area

  20 min, shuttle

  Hotels near the airport are close to the track, and the second official shuttle leaves from the airport at 1904 S High School Road.

• Speedway and Main Street

  15 min, walk

  The small town around the track has few hotels but many homes rented to fans. Staying here means you can walk to the gates and skip the traffic.

• Carmel and Fishers

  45 min, drive

  These northern suburbs have newer hotels and more rooms when downtown is full, but you drive in on race morning and sit in traffic both ways.

• Plainfield and Avon

  25 min, drive

  West-side suburbs along I-70 and US 36 have budget chain hotels a short drive from the track's west side.

• Fly into IND

  Indianapolis International is about 8 miles southwest of the track, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. On race day an official shuttle runs from the airport to the speedway.

• Fly into CVG

  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International is about 120 miles southeast, a two-hour drive. It can be cheaper when Indianapolis fares spike.

• Fly into ORD

  Chicago O'Hare is about 190 miles northwest, around three hours by car, with far more flights.

• Official race-day shuttle

  School-bus shuttles run from the airport and from downtown at 402 Kentucky Avenue to the Main Gate lot across from Gate 2. Every rider needs a shuttle pass, and parking at either lot is $20. Buses run from 7 a.m. until about the green flag and start back with 50 laps to go.

• Drive and park

  Race-day parking is sold ahead and sold out in 2026. Your pass has a QR code with your lot. After the race, cars may be held up to an hour while the crowd walks out, and you exit toward the interstate for your quadrant, not your home.

• Rideshare and taxi

  On race day, Uber, Lyft and taxis use one stop for drop-off and pickup at the corner of 10th Street and Polco Street. Expect long waits after the finish.

• Bike to the 500

  A group ride leaves the AMP at 16 Tech on race morning with a police escort, and bike racks sit outside Gates 1, 6 and 9. Bikes are not allowed inside the gates.

Gates open

Gates usually open at 6 a.m. on race day and the green flag falls around 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Most fans arrive hours early for the pre-race ceremonies.

Bag policy

You can bring a cooler up to 18 by 15 by 15 inches, hard or soft. Bags are allowed but searched through metal detectors, and oversize bags and luggage are not. Glass, selfie sticks, flagpoles and drones are banned.

Food and drink

You may bring your own food plus water, soft drinks, beer and wine, as long as nothing is in glass. Bringing your own cooler is a big part of the day here.

What to bring

Umbrellas, folding chairs, strollers and collapsible wagons are allowed, as long as umbrellas do not block anyone's view. Bring sunscreen; aerosol cans other than sunscreen are not allowed.

What to wear

Many fans wear checkered-flag prints and team colors. Wear comfortable shoes, since the grounds are huge and you may walk a mile or more from your lot.

Weather

Late May in Indianapolis is often in the upper 70s or low 80s with strong sun, and afternoon storms can stop the race. Rain delays have happened many times in the race's history.

Traditions

Before the start the crowd sings Back Home Again in Indiana, and the winner drinks a bottle of milk in victory lane and kisses the Yard of Bricks at the finish line.

• Tour, $$

  IMS Museum and track tour

  The museum inside Turns 1 and 2 holds hundreds of race cars and the history of the Speedway. A separate track tour adds a ride out onto the grounds.

  4750 W 16th St, Speedway, IN 46224

• Ritual, $$$

  Golf cart tour to the Yard of Bricks

  The 90-minute golf cart tour visits the Pagoda, Gasoline Alley and the victory podium. When the track is free, it laps the oval and stops at the Yard of Bricks at the finish line.

  4750 W 16th St, Speedway, IN 46224

• Ritual, $

  Carb Day

  Final practice runs on the Friday before the race, May 28, 2027, and the day turns into a big party at the track. Coolers are allowed in Carb Day general admission.

  4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46222

• Ritual, $

  Legends Day

  The Saturday before the race, May 29, 2027, is a fan day at the track with free infield parking. It is a cheap way to see the Speedway up close.

  4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46222

• Ritual, free

  500 Festival Parade

  The city's big parade runs through downtown on Saturday, May 29, 2027, with floats, bands and the starting field. It is a free way to join the race weekend if you are staying downtown.

  Downtown Indianapolis, IN 46204

• Eat, $

  Mug-n-Bun

  This drive-in near the track has served the west side for nearly 50 years. Order a huge pork tenderloin, onion rings and homemade root beer in a frosty mug.

  5211 W 10th St, Speedway, IN 46224

• Eat, $$$

  St. Elmo Steak House

  This downtown steakhouse has served guests since 1902 and is known for its fiery shrimp cocktail. Book well ahead for race weekend.

  127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

• Landmark, $

  Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

  The monument stands at the center of Monument Circle, and its observation level looks over all of downtown. A ticket also gets you into the Indiana War Memorial museum that day.

  1 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46204

• Outing, $$

  Indiana State Museum

  The state museum in White River State Park covers Indiana history and art, and it has a mastodon skeleton and an IMAX theater. It is a good rainy-day stop downtown.

  650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

• Outing, free

  Indianapolis Cultural Trail

  This 10-mile walking and biking path links six downtown districts and the Downtown Canal. Rent a Pacers Bikeshare bike and ride it between meals.

  132 W Walnut St, Indianapolis, IN 46204